Sandcastle Days to feature Trash Art Contest

Discarded shoes make for decent artwork at the Trash Art Contest during Sandcastle Days on the Island. (Courtesy photo)

Special to the Parade

Unlitter Critter Freddie, the mascot for the Sandcastle Days Trash Art Contest, is shown basking on Island beaches. (Courtesy photo)

The 24th annual Sandcastle Days slated for Oct. 19-23 on South Padre Island is happy to welcome back the Unlitter Campaign’s annual Trash Art Contest.

Picking up trash not only improves the neighborhood but also provides the unlitterer with free sculpture materials.

Open to all, trash sculptures must be free-standing and made from trash saved from the beaches, roadsides and garbage dumps. A cash prize awaits the winner.

The trash sculptures will be displayed at the Trash Art “Gallery” on the beach at Sandcastle Days and judged by “People’s Choice” voting in three categories – kids 12 and under, kids 13-17, and adults.

Participants are asked to attach a recycled gallon jug with their name and phone number to the sculpture to collect votes, starting Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Winners will be announced at the Trashion Style Show ‘An Enchanted Evening’ during the Saturday Night Lights event at Clayton’s Beach Resort at 6:30 pm on Oct. 22.

Kids category winners will receive $50 each and $100 to the adult category winner. Cash prizes are sponsored by Gaudi Realty. Participants can choose to have their sculptures auctioned off Sunday afternoon to benefit the South Padre Island Unlitter Campaign.